After a public engagement process and a political process played out in 2018, MARTA and the city of Atlanta can now focus on what gets built, when, according to the $2.7 billion More MARTA capital investment plan.
"The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors has unanimously approved the sequencing of the transit projects in the More MARTA Atlanta program," according to a press release posted by the SaportaReport.
The press release describes the More MARTA plan as the region's largest investment in public transit since MARTA's inception.
"The program of projects introduces new modes to the MARTA system, with 14 new miles of bus rapid transit (BRT) representing 22% of the expansion miles; 22 miles of arterial rapid transit (ART) representing 34% of the expansion; and 29 new miles of light rail service representing 44% of the new service. With these new modes and a significant expansion of light rail, MARTA is building a balanced, smart transit system to serve current customers and attract new riders in Atlanta and across the region."
The press release also says the project delivery sequencing represents a game changing approach to project delivery, with a commitment to public-private partnerships designed to reduce delivery times and increase revenue sources.
The project's include in the More MARTA plan were the subject of debate in fall 2018. The board's decision sorts out what gets built and when, sorting out projects into three categories: operational by 2025, under construction by 2025, and planning and design phase by 2025.
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